Brown rice market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, persistent drought conditions in Romania significantly reduced rice cultivation areas, leading to a decline in domestic production and increasing the country's dependence on imports to meet consumption. Imports of brown rice rose steadily, peaking in 2022, as local output covered only a fraction of national demand. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further disrupted global supply chains and contributed to upward pressure on food prices, including rice.

The brown rice market value in Romania contracted sharply after 2022. This downturn was primarily driven by a surge in international rice prices caused by export restrictions from India and unfavorable weather in key Asian producing regions, which made imports more expensive and reduced volumes. Simultaneously, domestic production fell further after the acquisition of the largest local producer, Padova Agricultura, which shifted its focus away from rice cultivation. Despite these challenges, consumer interest in brown rice as a healthier alternative remained strong, motivating companies like SanoVita to launch new product varieties within this segment.

Production brown rice in Romania

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of brown rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of brown rice, 2017-2020

Brown rice production in Romania has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2019, Romania produced 1.4 thousand tons of brown rice, but by 2020 this had fallen to 0.9 thousand tons, representing a 34.6% decrease. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production dropped by 63.8%, with an average annual decline of 28.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Romania in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports brown rice from Romania

Exports in kind, t

Romania's brown rice exports have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2019, exports were 10 974 tons, and in 2020 they remained largely unchanged at this level. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 2 270.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 187.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Romania in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, Slovakia, and Czechia were the principal buyers of Romanian brown rice, accounting for 41.9%, 29.8%, and 14.4% of exports in volume, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 86.1% of total exports.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Romania in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility during the observed period. In 2017, export values reached their lowest point, while 2019 saw the peak at 6 710 thousand US dollars. By 2020, exports had declined to 6 214 thousand US dollars, down 7.4% from the previous year. The most significant increase occurred in 2018, with a jump of 992.3%, and overall, export values varied 16-fold between the high in 2019 and the low in 2017.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Romania in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, Slovakia, and Czechia continued to be the main buyers of Romanian brown rice in value terms, with shares of 33.4%, 33.0%, and 17.2%, respectively. Combined, these three markets accounted for 83.5% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Romania in value, 2017-2020

Imports brown rice to Romania

Imports in kind, t

Romania's brown rice imports have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2019, imports were 32 548 tons, rising to 44 972 tons in 2020, a sharp increase of 38.2%. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 3 054.5%, with an average annual rate of 216.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Romania in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria dominated Romania's brown rice imports, accounting for 88.6% of the total volume. The remaining imports were distributed among various smaller partners.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Romania in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Romania's brown rice imports in value terms have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2019, imports were 15 424 thousand US dollars, climbing to 20 232 thousand US dollars in 2020, a significant rise of 31.2%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import value increased by 1 523.7%, with an average annual growth of 153.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Romania in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria was the primary source for Romania's brown rice imports in value terms, making up 82.4% of the total. Other markets contributed smaller shares, forming a diverse range of minor partners.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Romania in value, 2017-2020